Protagonist Analysis

 

 

L2R - Winston Smith from Nineteen Eighty Four, V from V for Vendetta, Cleric John Preston from Equilibrium, Deckard from Blade Runner, Detective Spooner from iRobot, Vincent Freeman from Gattaca, George Smiley from Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Neo from Matrix and Light Yagami from Death Note

To create an image for our protagonist, we have analysed the protagonists of media of a similar genre, and have discovered what the conventions are. To create our own effective protagonist, we will use these conventions ourselves.

ACTOR

The majority of the films we deconstructed used very high-billing, highly skilled actors to play their protagonists; as we cannot use a famous actor for our protagonist, we have decided to deconstruct their "image" to try and reproduce it ourselves.

Generally, if the film is mostly about fast-paced action and romance, the protagonist will be young, about mid-twenties, and conventionally attractive. They will have a stylish haircut and can usually be described as "tall, dark and handsome". However, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and Nineteen Eighty Four both have protagonists who are at least in their forties, and as a reflection, these films focus mainly on the psychological aspects of the plot, over action. The protagonist of V for Vendetta wears a mask, but his suave and cultured personality projects the image of an attractive man. As our narrative has action and
includes a romantic subplot, our protagonist will be young and attractive.

CHARACTER PERSONALITY

Although teaser trailers reveal very little of the complexities of the protagonist's personality, the basic outline of their nature is given. All of the protagonists are presented as highly intelligent, or at least of greater awareness and competance than those around them. If the narrative includes action, the protagonist will be (or will become) very skilled in whichever branch of combat they use, for example, Cleric Preston's gun-kata and V's skill with throwing knives. To lead their form of protest, the protagonist must be strong-willed, determined, and in control of his emotions, which often leads to him coming across as stoic or cold.

OUR PROTAGONIST

Our film has a romantic subplot and will involve action sequences, so we chose Luke to play our protagonist; he fits the description of "young, looks about mid-twenties and conventionally attractive". He also has dark hair and a fashionable haircut, another convention that we noticed, as well as having relatively 'closed-off' facial expressions.